The Nation Newspaper

Category: Aviation

  • Consolidating aviation road map

    Mixed reactions have greeted the return of a pilot-turned politician , Captain Hadi Sirika, as Minister of Aviation. Though a familiar player in navigating the labyrinth of the strategic sector, experts say he must ramp up efforts beyond rhetorics to deliver on sore points he left unattended in his first term. KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR reports.

    The return of Captain cas minister of Aviation last week caused a huge debate in the industry, eliciting mixed reactions from players.

    Sirika’s return did not come to many as a surprise;  the decision of  the government to carve out Aviation Ministry from Transportation    however came to players as a step in the right direction .

    They said appointing Sirika for such undertaking, because of his professional background as an airline pilot, was a  right step.

    Experts say his experience in the industry as a pilot and politician in the last two decades,  puts him in a better stead  to appreciate  and  offer workable solutions to  myriad of challenges facing the sector.

    Industry perception of Sirika’s return

    Besides the euphoria generated by   Sirika’s reappointment, experts said his return meant different things to different people.

    They said the minister should rise above rhetorics, roll up his sleeves and hit the ground running.

    Their verdict came on the heels of Sirika’s inability to deliver three key promises in his first term.

    The controversial national carrier – Nigeria Air – was suspended indefinitely by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) because of investor apathy, hazy funding model, inability to get buy-in by stakeholders and other considerations.

    Besides the botched national carrier,  Sirika was unable to deliver an aircraft leasing company as well as set up an aircraft maintenance centre.

    Legislative reaction / interface

    Speaking in an interview,  Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon Nnolim Nnaji, described Sirika’s appointment as a welcome development to ensure continuity in the sector.

    Nnaji  noted that he would expect the minister to hit the ground running because he was already familiar with the terrain.  He said:  “There is  so much to be done within a short time.”

    The lawmaker representing Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency, Enugu State,  said  he was  happy the minister came  at the time the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) had  begun  the reconstruction of the Enugu Airport Runway.

    Nnaji assured him of his committee’s cooperation towards providing a safe, viable and reliable industry.

    Experts’ views / agenda

    But, Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Securities Limited, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), also commended the government for returning Sirika. He said a new person could have triggered a downward and dangerous trend for the sector.

    He said: “The aviation minister belongs to the group that  has contributed positively to the sector. Not returning him to the ministry and bringing a new person could  have created a downward and dangerous trend.“

    Ojikutu, however, spared a thought for the minister.

    He said: “Sirika should consider  merging Arik and Aero and designate the eventual airline as a flag carrier.

    ‘’The airlines could be merged, with a view to selling them to technical foreign investors, patriotic and credible Nigerians at reasonable cost to set up a flag carrier. This  will be only if the government funds can be fully recovered and those of other creditors, except if they are willing to be part of the new carrier with their credit in Arik and Aero.”

    Ojikutu said the new minister should put measures in place for the actualisation of the proposed national carrier.

    He said: “There should be no going back on the plan for a national carrier’’.

    Concerns / Proposed models on airports concession

    He said Sirika should rework his plans for the concession of airports by upgrading the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to a holding company, as custodian of all terminals to be handed over to private companies.

    Ojikutu said : “He should consider plans to commercialise Nigerian Airspace Management Agency. All other aeronautical infrastructure under FAAN now should be handed over to Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, including runways, taxiways and approach lighting.”

    The critic said Sirika should consider a review of the Civil Aviation Act 2006 on the sharing of revenue among agencies, from ticket and cargo sales charge.

    Aviation roundtable’s verdict

    On his part, President, Aviation Safety Initiative Round Table  (ART), Dr  Gbenga Olowo, urged Sirika to ramp up efforts to deliver timelines if he intendeds to take the sector to a higher level.

    In an interview, he said: ” I do not envy Sirika for the arduous task ahead because he has said so much in the past  four  years and expectations are so high.

    “These   four years have no room for rhetorics. In fact, 2019 is already gone and 2023 is election year. He has barely 24 months to write his name in gold. He should put all his focus on measurable deliverables.”

    He urged Sirika to expedite action on his plans to concession airports and ensure he delivers between two and three airport companies . The companies should have the task of building modern terminals and installing high technology and functional car parks that will make Lagos and Abuja as well as Kano formidable West African hubs by 2025.

    Olowo said: ” This is doable judging from the case study of Ghana within a span of  four years’’.

    Union’s recipe for critical views

    Former General Secretary, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Olayinka Abioye, urged Sirika to embrace critical views , if he intended to survive in the sector.

    He said: ’’Now that you are back, there is much to do, sir, as the industry begs for a new direction and galvanised action. We trust that you have the capacity and ability to excel, but you must carry all your colleagues in the industry along, the stakeholders, industry supporters and aviation enthusiasts, the unions and even share a listening ear with the critics.”

    Interventionist proposals for security/infrastructure architecture

    Experts said the Minister of Aviation should rework existing airports security architecture in the face of rising incidences of breaches, infractions and intrusion at airports.

    Citing the upsurge in stowaways, intrusion into airports’ air side and other security infractions, they said  the Minister of Aviation should put on the burner measures to complete fencing of airports and their perimeter.

    Aside consolidating existing containment measures on threat to airports security and air safety, experts said the minister should revisit ongoing recruitment of Aviation Security (AVSEC) and Aerodrome Fire  Fighting and Safety Personnel attached to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    Previous attempt by Sirika to drive the exercise drew flak from unions, groups and the international community because of skewed criteria for the selection of candidates.

    On  the infrastructure front, experts said the Minister of Aviation should  see to the early completion of ongoing airport projects  –  in particular,  the new International Terminal at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

    Quick completion of this project, they said, would reduce congestion at the over 40 years terminal due for a facelift.

    Since 1979 when the MMIA, Lagos was commissioned, no major facelift has been given to it. The minister  should start work immediately by interfacing with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to overhaul the regulatory regime to achieve more robust technical, safety and economic audit of struggling domestic carriers.

    Continuation of sector’s road map/ministerial pledge

    Meanwhile, Sirika said that he looked forward to having an increase in the contribution of aviation to the Gross Domestic Product to about one per cent in the first few years.

    This is as aviation unions — National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the National Association of Air Transport Pilots and Employees (NAAPE) — held a surprised welcome reception for Sirika after taking oath of office.

    He said Nigeria Air was still on the road map, and that it would continue by God’s grace. This is as he commented on the GDP contribution of aviation in the country.

    “This industry has a lot for Nigerians and it connects people, nations and markets. One airplane that will come in means 300 jobs. More than that, it is a catalyst  to growth for the economy of our country.”

    Responding to the gesture by the unions, Sirika said: “Now that we are back, we will still continue from where we started. If there is need, we will work to make it better  than what we have done before in the interest of our country and our industry aviation.”

    He reiterated the collaboration of stakeholders, saying: “Nigerians should know that while we are given the opportunity, we will work together with stakeholders, unions and the staff. We drew a road map and we are following that road map. We will continue with the road map. If it needs adjustment, we will adjust it appropriately so that it will serve the industry better. So that it will be in tune w with the presidential directive, that everything must be pro-people. So, we will continue with the pro-people initiative of Mr. President. We will ensure that all our actions will be in the interest of the people, the worker, the industry and the country in general.”

    The National Presidents of NAAPE, Comrade Abenego Galadima, and President General of ANAP, Comrade Kabir Gusau, on behalf of other unions expressed satisfaction at having Sirika back. They appealed for continued collaboration with unions in the industry for a better working relationship which would give room for progress of the industry.

     

  • Tackling domestic flight delays, cancellations 

    Flight delays on domestic routes have continued to make air travelers uneasy. In 2018, 36, 350 flights were either delayed or cancelled, while figures for the first quarter of this year stood at 7, 926. Industry experts are worried that if this trend continues unchecked, the result may be unpalatable for both passengers and airlines, writes KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR.

    Flight schedule punctuality is one of the major attractions to air transportation. It is for this reason that airlines as players in the transport value chain schedule their flights to enable passengers get to their destinations on time.

    Effective time management, experts said, accounts for massive patronage of airlines and airports in the business of moving people and goods from one location to another.

    According to experts, for airlines and airports to play their strategic roles as catalysts for economic development, regulators and operators must adopt measures  to  reduce  the upsurge in flight delays and cancellations.

    One of the ways to achieve this, they said, is for the government to fix inadequate airports and terminal facilities. Part of the facilities include expansion of screening points at airports and installation of air field lighting systems to enable airlines 24-hour flight. Sadly, many airports have single runway and screening points to attend to airlines scheduled to take off at the same time.

    In the last three years, the nation’s economy has lost several billions of naira to incessant  flight delays and cancellations by both domestic and international airlines.

    Experts are worried that the increasing rate of both delayed and cancelled flights is creating unease in the sector as passengers continue to inundate the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with complaints.

    NCAA statistics

    Fact sheet from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)  has shown that an average of three out of every four flights were  delayed in 2017. Its Director-General, Captain Muktar Usman said the authority was getting worried over the trend.

    According to the regulator, out of  48,319  flights operated by eight airlines, 30,214 were late, while 872 were cancelled. The breakdown indicated that Aero Contractors  recorded 66.5 per cent delay rate; Arik Air, 61.8 per cent; Azman Air, 66.4 per cent; Dana Air  64.2 per cent; Med-View Airlines Plc 71 per cent; Overland 70.1 per cent; First Nation 35.8 per cent; and Air Peace 58.2 per cent.

    In 2018, the aviation regulator reported that 36,350 domestic  flights were delays. A breakdown of 2018 figure ranked Air Peace as first, having recorded 14, 069 flights  delayed; 137 cancelled flights while it  operated 22, 055 flights.

    Statistics from the apex aviation regulatory body showed that 59,818 flights were operated by nine airlines in the period under review.

    According to the document, 544 flights were cancelled for various reasons by the airlines. The NCAA listed airlines to include : Max Air, Dana Air, First Nation, Overland, Arik, Azman , Aero Contractors, Air Peace and Medview.

    Arik Air had 8,073 delayed flights and 152 cancellations out of its scheduled 15,205 flight operations.

    Dana Air on the other hand, operated 5,944 flights with 3,915 cases of delayed flights and 67 cancellations.

    Azman Air recorded 3,242 and 49 delayed and cancelled flights respectively, out of the 4,944 flights operated by the airline in the period under review.

    Also, Aero Contractors operated 4,361 flights with 2,459 delays and 70 cancellations; while Overland had 601 flights with 1,960 delayed and 29 cancellations; and Medview, 2058 flights with 1,256 delayed and 42 cancellations.

    Max Air recorded 1,151 delays and five cancellations, out of the 2,205 flights operated by the airline.

    Similarly, FirstNation Airways, whose licence has been suspended by the NCAA, recorded 137 delayed flights and three cancellations, out of 445 flights operated within the period under review.

    In the first three months of this year, the NCAA said domestic carriers have recorded 7,926 cases of delayed flights. This represents more than 50 per cent of the flights within the period under review. Air Peace, which  operated  5,768 flights, topped the delayed flight chart with 3,058 and 66 cancellations, while Arik Air followed with 1,376 delayed flights, 32 cancellations out of its 3,001 flight operations.

    Aero operated 1,535 flights with 951 delayed and 31 cancelled while Azman Air recorded 637 delays and eight cancellations out of the 1,301 flights operated. Also, Dana Air operated 919 flights with 587 delays and 25 cancellations; Overland, 612 flights with 421 delays and six cancellations. The rest are Max Air, which operated 1,416 flights with 810 delays and four cancellations as well as Medview, which operated 183 flights with 112 delayed and nine cancelled.

    However, the delays, according to the airlines, were due to operational reasons bordering on scarcity of aviation fuel as well as adverse weather conditions, leading to low visibility at most of the airports.

    Experts’ views 

    Aviation security expert, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd) said  there are more factors to flight delays, and “they are generally beyond the controls of airlines”.

    They include: passenger access control, passenger and carry-on-baggage check-point screening, hold baggage screening and sorting, number of boarding gates and the boarding screening.

    “All these are not within the control of the airlines as they often delay passenger facilitation and flight departure time, especially at Single Terminal Airport, with a single passenger screening, check points and single boarding gate.

    “For instance,  at Lagos Airports Murtala Muhammed Airport (MM2) and General Aviation Terminal (GAT) , where there are two domestic terminals:, there is only one screening point and one boarding gate at the GAT, where Air Peace and Arik with more flights operate from, whereas, the MM2, most times, has about two passenger screening check points and about six boarding gate.

    “What the stakeholders and the NCAA should consider more to assist flight operation, are  the efficiency of passenger checkpoint screening facilitation process and the screening machines. There is a need to ensure that there are sufficient skilled manpower at these screening points and that there is regular power supply to the screening machines such that deficiency or breakdown of manpower or machine does not result to manual screening in aviation security defence layer.”

    Ojikutu added that beyond reading riot act to the airlines, the NCAA also needed to look inwards and intensify its regulatory activities, including calling the airport managers to order.

    Operators’  perspective 

    Umbrella body of domestic carriers, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), said the government should fix inadequate terminal facilities to enable airlines operate 24 hours. Its chairman, Captain Nogie Meggison said the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has  a huge role to play in this respect.

    A few years ago , Meggison said domestic airlines may be losing as much as N20 billion annually to flight cancellations.

    Also speaking, Air Peace Chairman, Mr Allen Onyema said poor airport infrastructure also contributes to flight delays as over 1000 passengers sometimes have to use one security screening point.

    Dana Air’s Accountable Manager,  Obi Mbanuzuo said flight delays are due to inadequate infrastructure . ” We go through day to day operational challenges . In some airports the landing facilities are not there for 24 hours . That is why airlines either cancel or delay flights.

    Regulator’s position 

    NCAA spokesman, Sam Adurogboye, said the agency has considered it top priority to address passengers’ complaints and monitors activities of air service providers to mitigate complaints such as flight delays and cancellations.

    According to NCAA’s regulation on passengers rights, passengers can request compensation for flight cancellation and delays for  reasons other than technical, weather conditions, air traffic control restrictions, security risks and industrial disputes.

    He explained that flights could be delayed or cancelled because of bad weather or engine failure, but noted that the regulatory authority does not support flight delays or cancellations without any genuine reasons, especially natural occurrences that can’t be controlled.

    According to an expert, who declined to be named,  in other airports around the world, the standard time for processing a passenger through the checkpoint screening is about 15/20 seconds. That is three or four passenger per minute or 180 to 240 passengers per hour.

    ”Around here, it is less  seamless and for many reasons. While screening bottleneck is the main constraint at Air Peace’s General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Lagos, there are other factors ranging from the chain reaction of such morning delays, low capacity to execute schedule, aviation fuel shortage and technical issues, among others coming under “operational issues” often given as excuses for flight delays.

    “Another cause of delay is poor infrastructure at the airports. Ideally, it should take not more than 30 seconds to screen a passenger, but in Nigeria it can take up to two minutes with the screening officials more interested in extortion than doing their job. This poses a problem for the airlines. For example, Air Peace and Arik Air face a lot of delays to process passengers at the GAT, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos because there is only one functional X-ray machine at any point in time and hundreds of passengers going to different destinations during the morning rush hours must pass through one functional X-ray machine at each of the terminals at the GAT.

    “I urge FAAN to provide adequate number of security equipment and  personnel to effectively man these machines in order to reduce the delay caused by security screening at the airports. “

    Retired pilot and former Managing Director of the defunct Virgin Nigeria, Capt. Dapo Olumide,  said there are several issues that cause airlines’ failure in Nigeria and one of them is the poor utilisation of aircraft.

    IATA’s position 

    International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged Nigerian government to fix poor infrastructure to enhance aviation business .

    Its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alexandre De Juniac said investment in improving airport infrastructure would go a long way to assist airlines and ensure seamless operations.

    He said: “Infrastructure plays a key and important role in the services airlines provide to their passengers. The terminal facilities should provide passengers with good experience.”

    Other complaints 

    Meanwhile, airlines  and passengers have expressed their disenchantment over aircraft’s inability to land at the second runway of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) after 6:30 pm.

    According to them, congestion on the first runway of the airport due to traffic from foreign airlines from 6:30 pm, causes delays both for arriving flights and flights primed to take off.

    A group of Aviators  recently called on the regulatory agencies to consider ways of reducing delays and flights’ cancellations.

    The group said it was getting worried over the spate of  multiple flight diversions due to  bad weather and aerodrome closure during sunset. This, according to him,  resulted from inadequate or non-functional ground navigational equipment such as ground-to-air radar, Instrument Landing System, VHF Omni directional Range, among others.

    Its spokesman , Ben Victor,   decried the increasing rate of flight cancellations or delays without compensating passengers and noted that recent cases in Kano, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Owerri, Benin, Asaba, Ilorin and Enugu airports, among others, are worrisome.

    The  organisation, therefore, urged the regulatory agencies, such as FAAN, NCAA and Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to enforce sanctions on erring airlines so as to bring sanity to the sector.

    He said: “Flight delays have become regular narratives at the local airports across the country without explanations to passengers who might have incurred financial lose or undergone emotional stress.

    “ A major  operator has become the major culprit as they flagrantly delay or cancel flight schedules. The truth should be told, if airlines are made to compensate passengers for flight delays or cancellation, they will sit up.

    “At the moment, most air passengers hold the view that they are being taken for granted. Who’s at fault? The regulatory agencies need to wake up. Today’s problem will continue to expand if not addressed.”

    The association also  called on the regulatory bodies to monitor the functionality of equipment at the airports, especially during night flights. It also tasked the regulatory bodies to ensure that basic infrastructure facilities in the airports are functioning.

    “The Nigerian aviation industry has been taken 40 years behind compared with its counterparts in other climes. Passengers blame airlines for operational anomalies, but the regulatory authorities also have their blames,” he said.

    The group, however, called on regulatory agencies to wake up to its responsibilities. “Only four airports in Nigeria have partially functional navigational ground equipment. They are Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano. The rest airports are Visual Flight Rules airports and that is why you cannot land in some airports at sun set,” the organisation stated.

  • Combating menace of stowaway

    A stowaway is a person who secretly boards a vehicle, such as an aircraft, bus, ship, and cargo truck or train, to travel without paying and with the aim of not being detected.

    In most of the reported cases, stowaway are usually unsuccessful in their fatal attempts to scram, but those who had mother luck smiled on them had explained their objectives to be driven by the need to escape from the living circumstances; political or harsh economic environment in their home countries and start a new life in a more desirable location.

    Stowaway episodes aboard vessels on the seas had from time been a hitherto familiar scenario. In fact, it could rightly be said to date back from ages. Indeed, some notable Africans who later rose to become legendary figures in the political landscape of Africa have had their stowaway experience succinctly narrated in their autobiographies. In these cases, it was invariably an adventure motivated by a desperate quest for acquisition of the Golden Fleece, especially in the United States.

    Relatively, recent cases were the horrendous saga of Kingsley Ofosu, the sole survivor of a group of nine African stowaways discovered aboard the cargo ship MC Ruby in 1992, and subsequently murdered by that ship’s crew.

    However, this was to be followed by successive spates of daring stowaway attempts on aircraft. From 1947 until September 2012, there were 96 known stowaway attempts worldwide, in wheel wells of 85   separate flights, which resulted in 73 deaths, with only 23 survivors while between December 2003 and last quarter of 2016, more than five cases of such deadly trip emanating from our airports were recorded. The last unfortunate case involving a Nigerian was in November 2016, when a lifeless body of a stowaway was discovered in the wheel of an Arik Air’s 330-200 aircraft, at the Oliver Thambo International Airport Johannesburg.

    Earlier in that year, a male Nigerian was also found dead in the wheel of an Arik Aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

    The latest in this recurring decimal of suicidal dare-devil desperation was again to repeat itself on a particularly fateful day, July 19, this year, when a man was reported to have appeared at the domestic end of taxi way and attempted to gain access to the aircraft, which was taxing to the holding point for take-off.

    Passengers on board the Azman air flight were nipped in jitters of fear after the  man, later identified as Usman Adamu, climbed the left wing of the aircraft as it was about to off .

    A viral video shot by a passenger, captured the grim scenario of the man surreptitiously gaining access to the engines, as passengers showed intense panic and urged the pilot and the cabin crew in frenzied fit of desperation to open the aircraft doors for them to quickly disembark.

    The pilot alerted the traffic controllers and the message was intercepted by the security control monitoring centre, who mobilised the patrol teams to the scene of the incident. He was consequently apprehended and detained.

    The apprehended stowaway claimed he wanted to travel to Ghana. He however refused to disclose how he managed to navigate his way to the prohibited airside.

    The Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, described the incident as a serious security breach that called for grave concern. He stated further that the brazen violation of safety and security was not only unfortunate, but also most embarrassing in view of the substantial quantum of effort and resources continually expended on the maintenance of the integrity of the Airside and Airport safety as a whole.

    He stated further that the security wheel is ever revolving in response to newly emerging threats, adding that FAAN is working in concerted synergy with stakeholders and regulatory agency (NCAA) in a determined move to tackle the security challenges unfolding from time to time.

    Capt. Yadudu recalled that prior to last month’s incident to be specific; the same suspect was arrested in the same premises of the airport by the patrol security team. His profile pictures were taken, while he was consequently evacuated out of the airport to a distant location, in accordance with standard procedure.

    The procedure is being reviewed in response to emerging development. Meanwhile, FAAN has commenced a thorough investigation which has warranted the suspension of four of its staff. The investigation was to ascertain his intent, whether criminal or not, as well as an appraisal of his mental and psychological state. All officers found guilty of negligence of duty at the end of the investigation would be held accountable.

    Following the incident, the FAAN MD has reaffirmed his resolve to tackle the menace of insecurity with renewed zest and gusto. His concern for a security proof aviation stems from his belief that the industry ranks as a foremost stimulus to foreign investment and economic growth. It is against this background that the slightest threat to security stands to impinge negatively on investments if attempts are not made immediately to nip it in the bud.

    As a proactive man of foresight, Capt. Yadudu had always been fired by the vision of a security proof aviation. Right from his assumption of office, he had put the security question on the front burner and ever since then, he had never relented in the drive towards an excellent fructification of this vision; just as he has also manifested in words and indeed, an excellent commitment to bequeathing a secured airport management system that ranks among the best in global aviation.

    FAAN management has vowed to do everything possible to sustain  the ICAO certification of Lagos and Abuja airports while working assiduously to achieve same for airports in Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kaduna to meet world industry standards

    Indeed analysts and other industry stakeholders unanimously believe that his effort in the modernisation of the nation’s airport, if sustained and intensified at the current momentum, stands as a stimulus to high traffic tourism, as well as a tremendous boost for foreign investment.

    • Atobatele is former General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

     

  • Turkish Airlines to unveil cabin crew uniforms

    Turkish Airlines will be unveiling new uniforms by its cabin crew as it celebrates  85th anniversay.

    The uniforms, the airline said, would be visible on the entire cabin crew on the long-haul flights of the flag carrier.

    The new uniforms in flag-red and anthracite gray colours, which were  tested on long-range flights in various climates, had been tailored to 25,000 employees for cabin crews to serve passengers.

    Inspired by many classical details in Turkish culture, from the currents of the Bosphorus to the artisanal glassware, ceramics and calligraphy patterns produced by local artisans, the cabin, cockpit, ground handling personnel and flying chef uniforms came to life under one design to give their passengers a brand experience.

    In his statement, Chairman of the Board/Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines Ilker Ayci: “The elegance and comfort of our cabin crews, which constitute the most important element of our unrivalled service quality, are of great importance for our brand that continues to fly at the top of its industry. I believe that our brand’s presence in the skies will be much more impressive when the new cabin uniforms, which bear elements of our culture, are combined with the elegance of our cabin crews.

    “Turkish Airlines cabin crew will now greet passengers with “welcome onboard” while dressed in new uniforms on long haul flights of the national flag carrier. Flying to the most countries in the world, Turkish Airlines new uniforms will definitely take to the skies while redefining elegance.”

    Italian haute couturier Ettore Bilotta designed the new cabin uniforms, which were specially sewn by Vakko, and the main fabrics were produced by Altinyildiz, based on the compliance of Turkish Airlines with flight standards.

  • NAMA urges ICAO on personnel licensing

    The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has charged the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to consider,  the inclusion of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP) licensing in its Annex 1 of  the Chicago Convention.

    This, the agency said, would place the responsibility to ensure safety on the holder because the licence is the confirmation of competence in a specific safety area.

    Speaking at the just-concluded Ninth International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Associations (IFATSEA) hosted by the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE) in Abuja, NAMA Managing Director Capt. Fola Akinkuotu said  the demand for licensing of ATSEPs had been a recurring issue at the ICAO General Assembly. This is due to efforts of IFATSEA to give  it a “loud voice,” he said, adding that stakeholders have the duty to ensure that this message resonates globally given the safety-critical role of ATSEPs in the sector.

    Akinkuotu said as an agency with the largest concentration of ATSEPs in the country, NAMA would continue to support the advocacy for the inclusion of ATSEP licensing in ICAO Annex 1 as this would give them a sense of accountability and commitment to duty.

    “Licensing of critical personnel in the aviation industry is fundamental to safety. We are demanding licence, so that we can hold people responsible for their actions. A licence can be withdrawn makes the holder extremely responsible and careful in taking safety-critical decisions,” he said.

    The NAMA boss said in recognition of the immense contribution of ATSEPs to safety in the   sector, Nigeria has an operating ATSEP licensing and rating programme included in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (NCAR), which NAMA is vigorously implementing as required.

    He stressed that the programme had gone a long way in increasing the competency of ATSEPS. Akinkuotu, who was full of gratitude to the ATSEPs, said: “NAMA engineers have proved that they can stand their own in every situation and they have continued to ensure that our navigational equipment propagate accurate and reliable signals, thereby ensuring safety of air travel in the country.”

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Sabiu Zakari, said the professionalisation of ATSEP had become indispensable as it would create the link between air traffic controllers and pilots as is the practice globally.

    Zakari, represented by the Director of Human resources, Nkeiru Ejiofor, said Nigeria has been a significant affiliate of IFATSEA and a flagship of safety in the region.

    He urged participants to “churn out realisable and realistic strategies and modalities to enhance safety in the African airspace and the entire global aviation environment’’

    In his welcome address, the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE) President, Ishaya Dung, lamented that despite concerted efforts by members over the years, ATSEPs was yet to be recognised by ICAO Annex 1, saying this development had impacted negatively on the psychology of members worldwide, making it a safety concern.

    He, therefore, called on stakeholders to back the association in its plan to represent the “safety case” in the forthcoming ICAO General assembly next month.

    This year’s conference with the theme: Aviation safety and licensing of ATSEP was attended by 131 participants from nine countries – Burkina Faso, Gambia, Zambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Tanzania, Germany and Nigeria as well as representatives from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and  Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA).

  • How to protect sector, by experts

    Unless the government puts in place policies to protect indigenous carriers, the stuned sector will remain, experts have said.

    The policies, experts argued, must be conceived to create an enabling environment for domestic carriers and other players in the sector.

    The experts, who included Topbrass Aviation Managing Director Captain Roland Iyayi; President, Sabre Travel Network, Dr Gbenga Olowo; Chief Executive Officer, African Aviation Services Limited, Mr Nick Fadugba and Medview Airlines Managing Director Alhaji Muneer Bankole, spoke at the 23rd Airport & Aviation Correspondent Conference in Lagos.

    According to Iyayi, the absence of good policies has stunted the growth of the aviation sector, adding that the government needed to put in place protectionist policies that will reduce the burden of indigenous carriers, which are already buffeted by multiple aeronautical charges; high cost of aviation fuel, obsolete and inadequate airport facilities.

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which ought to set the tone for such policies as the industry regulator, he said, has lost its bearing in providing leadership for the sector.

    Rather, in the words of Iyayi, the NCAA was engaged in over regulation of domestic carriers.

    The NCAA, he said, should be actively involved in drawing the template for air treaties negotiation for the country to protect it from exploitation by foreign countries and their carriers.

    Iyayi said: ”To grow aviation there has to be a deliberate policy geared towards ensuring that airlines, which are primary players in the industry, can survive. That you have airlines failing is not because you cannot run the business, it is the environment in which they operate that is extremely harsh and not conducive for growth.

    “Essentially, the government needs to be proactive by looking beyond cost recovery for its agencies, but design a framework of policies that will address multiplicity of charges affecting domestic carriers.’’

    On his part, Olowo said the government had put in strategies that would drive policies geared towards investors’ confidence by focussing on tangible assets in the industry.

    He said the policy trust of government for the sector should factor in ways to improve service delivery at airports, improvement of safety and security, stakeholders and consumer satisfaction.

    Olowo said any policy that does not have key performance indicators to measure their effectiveness will be counter productive.

    He said: ”What is key in any  policy is its ability to drive the growth and development of the sector and at the same time guarantee regulatory and legal confidence in players and investors.”

    Fadugba corroborated others’ position, saying any policy that does not factor in ways to protect indigenous carriers will not guarantee industry growth.

    He, therefore, canvassed a working document christened “Vision 2030” hinged on the need to conceive deliberate policies that will bring about stronger indigenous carriers, modern airport and airspace infrastructure as well as adequate regulatory and legal framework to protect private investment.

    Fadugba said the sector, if well positioned, could serve as a catalyst for Africa’s economic growth and social advancement.

    He said Africa needs a safe, reliable, efficient and portable air transport industry that facilitates business, trade and tourism across the continent and between Africa and the world.

    Fadugba, in identifying the challenges, said aviation safety, security, training, regulatory oversight, infrastructure,liberalisation, modernisation, funding, efficiency, affordability and profitability need to be improved on.

  • How to reduce pilots’, controllers’ hitches’

    The Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has said the sectorisation of the Lagos Sub-Flight Information Region (Sub-FIR) into two will reduce radio airspace communication challenges faced by pilots and air traffic controllers over congestion.

    Its Managing Director, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, said the agency had split the Sub-FIR  airspace.

    The split, he said, was achieved after a 16-year of work, adding that the sectors  now have two radio frequencies, which put  Lagos West Area Control Centre on 120.9 MHz while Lagos East Area Control Centre is on 120.3 MHz.

    According to Akinkuotu, the split  will reduce the challenges pilots and air traffic controllers go through in radio communication because of increasing traffic in the airspace.

    The immediate benefits of sectorisation, according to the NAMA boss, include reduction in congestion on the available en-route control radio frequency, reduction of flight delays, reduction in fuel consumption, reduction in CO2 emission, as well as increasing air traffic management (ATM) capacity.

    Read Also: NAMA requires N50 billion to fix, update airspace facilities

    He said sectorising the Lagos Area Control Centre (ACC) would bring about optimum utilisation of the airspace by reducing controller-pilot workload, thereby increasing efficiency and quality of service delivery as well as providing functional air navigation services that will meet international standards at no cost to the users.

    As part of the process, Akinkuotu revealed that two new procedural control flight progress boards with two controllers working positions for the East and West sectors have also been provided to ensure proper ergonomics at the Lagos Area Control Centre.

    Describing it as part of efforts towards enhancing the quality of air traffic services in the country, Akinkuotu said the  sectorisation  took off exactly 00.01 UTC on July  18,  2019.

    He said it was a culmination of a two-year strategic plan by the agency to achieve sectored operations in the Lagos sub-FIR, owing to the then congested single radio frequency enroute control operations.

    He said the agency had put in place several measures to ensure its effective take-off.

    He listed the measures to include: development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and a test-run of the procedures at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria; in-house training of needed manpower to boost capacity in the two sectors; enhancement of the required support facilities for ground-ground and air-ground communication.

    He listed others to include: update of the radar maps and database of the radar system, test-run of the radar system and radio communication equipment, as well as the issuance of an Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) supplement on May 9,  2019 to give airspace users 56 days notification as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Part 14 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.

  • FAAN retirees to sue management over benefits

    Retired management staff members of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) are set to contest the removal of certain aspect of their retirement benefits at the Lagos High Court.

    Also to be contested is the refusal of the management to review their pension every five years according to the Constitution.

    The planned action is coming on the heels of a 14-day ultimatum issued last week by FAAN branch of Nigerian Union of Pensioners.

    Meanwhile, in preparation for today’s street protest, officials of  FAAN branch of NUP have pasted posters with various inscriptions at strategic areas of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja,Lagos alerting the public to their planned protest and called on FAAN pensioners across the country to converge on FAAN headquarters, Lagos for pre-protest general meeting.

    The branch threatened legal action if some aspects of their  monthly pension/emoluments were not fully restored.

    Briefing reporters at the weekend,  the National Chairman of FAAN branch of NUP and National Administrative Secretary, Comrades Rasak Ope and Emeka Njoku said if at the expiration of the ultimatum and nothing was done to ameliorate their grievances, FAAN pensioners throughout the country would hold a protest.

    According to sources close to the retired management staff members, some of their leaders have been  consulting on plans to sue the management in the court and seek the interpretation of the Section 173 of the 1999 Constitution as it relates to their agitation.

    The aggrieved staff workers, in supporting the FAAN-NUP, noted that since the agreement was entered into in 2008 and the implementation had been respected by all the previous management, except the management under Captain Rabiu Yadudu, who had allegedly violated the agreement signed years before his appointment and also disregard the country’s Constitution as regards the rights of pensioners under the law.

    They claimed that the implementation of the agreement started during the tenure of Mr Richard Aisuebeogun as managing director and others had followed, except CaptainYadudu.

    They reminded those advising the chief executive wrongly that he too would become a retiree and would face the same problem.

    Meanwhile, Captain Yadudu last week visited Imo State Governor  Emeka Ihedioha.

    The visit, which was in continuation of his interaction with critical stakeholders, included FAAN’s Directors of  Engineering Services, Human Resources and Administration, Airport Operations, General Manager, Procurement, Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Manager.

    The MD and his team also visited  Oyo State Governor Mr. Seyi Makinde to discuss areas of collaboration.

    Capt Yadudu said Owerri Airport is strategic to the development of the Southeast and that there was the need to collaborate to develop infrastructure at the airport.

    Capt Yadudu noted that any investment in the airport would be a catalyst for the development of the state and would create employment for the indigenes.

    Ihedioha expressed his readiness to support the authority to develop critical infrastructure at the airport.

  • How protectionists policies drive aviation growth, by experts

    Unless government puts in place policies to protect indigenous carriers, the growth of the sector will remain elusive, experts have said.

    The enunciation of such policies the experts said must be a deliberate initiative conceived to create an enabling environment for domestic carriers and other players in the sector to drive.

    The experts namely : Managing Director , Topbrass Aviation, Captain Roland Iyayi ; President Sabre Travel Network, Dr Gbenga Olowo ; Chief Executive Officer , African Aviation Services Limited, Mr Nick Fadugba ; and Managing Director, Medview Airlines , Alhaji Muneer Bankole spoke at the 23rd edition of the Airport & Aviation Correspondent Conference that held recently  in Lagos.

    Iyayi said the absence of good policies has stunted the growth of the aviation sector. He said government needed to put in place protectionist policies that will reduce the burden of indigenous carriers, which were already buffeted by multiple aeronautical charges; high cost of aviation fuel ; obsolete and inadequate airport facilities.

    He said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) , which ought to set the tone for such policies as the industry regulator has lost its bearing in providing leadership to grow the sector.

    Rather, Iyayi said the NCAA was engaged in over-regulation of domestic carriers.

    He said the NCAA should be actively involved in the drawing the template for negotiation of air treaties for the country to protect it from exploitation by foreign countries and their carriers.

    Read also: Why Nigeria cannot develop strong airport hubs, by expert

    Iyayi said :” To grow aviation there has to be a deliberate policy geared towards ensuring that airlines which are primary players in the industry can survive. That you have airlines failing is not because that cannot run the business, it is the environment in which they operate is extremely harsh and not conducive for growth.

    ” Essentially government needs to be proactive by looking beyond cost recovery for its agencies, but design a framework of policies that will address multiplicity of charges affecting domestic carriers .”

    On his part, Olowo said government put in strategies that will drive policies geared towards investor confidence by focussing on tangible assets in the industry.

    He said the policy trust of government for the aviation sector should factor ways and means to improve service delivery at airports; improvement of safety and security; stakeholders and consumer satisfaction.

    Olowo said any policy that does not have key performance indicators to measure their effectiveness will be counterproductive.

    He said :” What is key in any policy is its ability to drive the growth and development of the sector and at the same time guarantee regulatory and legal confidence in players and investors.

    Also speaking, Fadugba corroborated their position saying any policy that does not factor in ways to protect indigenous carriers will not guarantee industry growth.

    He , therefore canvassed a working document christened Vision 2030 hinged on the need to conceive deliberate policies that will

    bring about stronger indigenous carriers; modern airport and airspace infrastructure as well as adequate regulatory and legal framework to protect private investment.

    Fadugba said the aviation sector if well positioned could serve as a vital catalyst for Africa’s economic growth and social advancement.

    He said Africa needs a safe, reliable, efficient and portable air transport industry that facilitates business, trade and tourism across the continent and between Africa and world.

    Fadugba identifying the challenges said aviation safety, security, training, regulatory oversight, infrastructure, liberalisation, modernisation, funding, efficiency, affordability and profitability all need to be improved significantly.

    He said a situation in which over 90 per cent of international air traffic to and from Nigeria is carried by non-Nigerian airlines is damaging to the economy in several ways, such as the huge capital flight from Nigeria, the continued deterioration of the Nigerian aviation industry and the loss of skilled aviation employment opportunities.

    He supported the federal government’s plan to launch a new national carrier with minority government shareholding if it is one transparently and skilfully established.

    To succeed, he said the new national carrier needs a sound business plan, strategic industry partners, adequate funding, an experienced management team, well-trained staff, a fleet of modern aircraft, a comprehensive route network, on-time performance, good customer service and no government involvement.

    He recommended that African governments and regulators need to provide an enabling environment, while African airlines should work together through inter-lining, codesharing, joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions so as to form stronger carriers that can compete effectively and can grow and prosper.

    Also speaking, industry analyst Mr Chris Aligbe urged Nigerian carriers to enlist in the African Airline’s Association ( AFRAA) to enable them push for international aero politics for the protection of indigenous carriers.

  • Why Nigeria cannot develop strong airport hubs, by expert

    Despite its huge population, Nigeria cannot develop string airport hubs because it lacks terminals that can accelerate seamless transit for passengers on domestic; regional and international flights, Chief Executive Officer, African Aviation Services Limited, Nick Fadugba has disclosed.
    Besides facilities for passengers’ transit; Nigerian carriers are not strong enough to attract global partnership to offer passengers reliable services on global routes beyond point to point, a development that is no longer fashionable among global carriers.
    Speaking in an interview in Lagos, Fadugba said the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja were yet to qualify as hub for West Africa because they do not command the kind of facilities that would attract global carriers as transit terminals to connect passengers to any where in the globe.

    Read also: Airport boss decries attack on workers

    Fadugba said global carriers are attracted to airports with modern facilities where turn around time is swift ; services are reliable ; airlines could refuel and enjoy many economies of scale.
    He said the  weak status of many Nigerian carriers with limited aircraft fleet ; unreliable schedules and lack of capacity to share interline and codeshare agreements with global carriers continue to undermine the drive for hub status for Nigerian airports.
    Fadugba said airports in Accra; Cairo ; Casablanca; Dakar ; Addis Ababa ; Nairobi and  Johannesburg which have developed modern infrastructure and processes to attract global legacy carriers with intimidating aircraft fleet and network; Nigerian airports needed to be reworked to accommodate attractive hub facilities.
    He said :” Nigerian airports still have a long way to go to become significant hubs in Africa ; because they have inadequate facilities that will facilitate seamless passengers’ transit.
    ” Government needs to tear down and build a modern terminal at Lagos Airport with at least three runways that will facilitate seamless connectivity.
    ” Government needs to urgently look at land facilities at the Abuja Airport and at least build two runways for easy connectivity.
    ” Developing an airport hub is not by accident but through careful planning and strategy. To achieve this government should look at airport size, and the readiness of the airspace to accommodate the exponential traffic that it will trigger if modern facilities are put in place.
    “. This is what other countries have done by empowering their airlines; modernizing their fleet; securing operational agreements and partnership to position them as catalyst for economic development .”